Deployable and retractable hang tab for articles

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hang tab for suspension of an article comprising a body having upper and lower portions. The upper portion comprising an aperture configured to hang the hang tab with an attached article thereon to a hanger and the lower portion comprising a generally semi-circular configuration which facilitates inserting the hang tab into an attached article.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefits of priority to U.S. Prov. Pat. App.60/958,936 filed on Jul. 10, 2007, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to display products having a hang tab, andin particular, to a deployable and retractable hang tab for holding anddisplaying articles, such as computer mouse, CDs, DVDs, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various designs and techniques are known for providing hang tabs. Hangtabs are often made from clear plastic sheet such as PVC, PP, PS, PE orPET. The hang tabs generally have an opening or slot, usually in theform of a squat, isosceles triangle, having an apex that can receive asingle wire hanger and having a base wide enough to receive multiplewire hangers. Hang tabs are generally adhered to the box or package theysupport, and they are usually formed to fold flat against the packagethey are adhered to, until the package is removed from a packing caseand hung up for sales display. One disadvantage of the known hang tab isthat the hang tabs require relatively aggressive, pressure-sensitiveadhesive to ensure that the hang tab is reliable in holding an object orpackage on a supporting wire for an indefinite length of time. Adrawback to adhesively attach a hang tab to a box or package is the factthat the hang tab is permanently fixed to the box or package, usually tothe exterior of the package. The adhesively attached area is visible onthe exterior of the package, running over graphical areas andpotentially causing an aesthetically displeasing look to consumers.Another disadvantage of adhesively attached hang tabs is that theadhesive can peel or shear over time causing the hang tab to fail.Another drawback of many hang tabs is that they are often not needed forproducts that may either hang on a rack or alternatively stand on ashelf. When standing on a shelf many hang tabs remain obtrusivelyvisible when not needed.

Therefore, there is a need for a low cost hang tab which can be attachedto a package with or without the use of adhesive, and which can bedeployed, or extended when needed. There is also a need for a hang tabthat can be attached either before or after package assembly and stillremain mostly concealed when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a hang tab for holding anddisplaying various products such as a computer mouse, CDs, DVDs, and thelike in a retail store. The hang tab is attached to the carton or boxafter assembly of the box, or from the inside of the box before assemblyof the box. The hang tab attaches to or is otherwise restrained within ahang tab interface that is a specially cut section of the package (theinterface) that provides a receptacle for attachment. The hang tab isdesigned so that when the hang tab is not in use, it can be at leastpartially or substantially concealed within the box or carton withoutfalling irretrievably down into or out of the box and without taking upthe extra head space that some hang tabs use.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a hang tabfor suspension of an article comprising a body having upper and lowerportions. Generally, the lower portion may simply comprise a portionwhich has a larger width than the upper portion while in othervariations the lower portion may define a curved, arcuate, or generallysemi-circular configuration which facilitates insertion of the hang tabinto the package hang tab interface. The curved lower portion isillustrated as an exemplary variation of the possible shapes into whichthe lower portion may be configured and is not intended to be limiting.Accordingly, the lower portion may be designed into any number of shapesor configurations so as to inhibit the inadvertent removal of the hangtab from the hang tab interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingdescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows the hang tab and the hang tab interface;

FIG. 1A shows a package with the hang tab retracted for shelf display orfor shipment;

FIG. 1B shows a package with the hang tab in the deployed position forhanging on a display rack;

FIG. 2 shows the hang tab interface into which the hang tab shown inFIG. 1 is inserted;

FIG. 3 shows the beginning of the manner in which the hang tab isinserted into an already assembled package;

FIG. 4 shows the beginning of the rotation of the hang tab into the hangtab interface as part of the manner of insertion in one embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows the hang tab almost fully rotated into the hang tabinterface in the manner in which the hang tab is inserted into theinterface;

FIG. 6 shows the hang tab fully rotated and in the fully deployedposition, ready to hang on a store rack;

FIG. 7 shows the hang tab in the retracted position for shipping or fordisplay by standing upright on a store shelf;

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment wherein the hang tab is attachedadhesively to the package, e.g., inside the package, duringmanufacturing;

FIG. 9 shows the alternate embodiment of FIG. 8 with the hang tabsection separated from the adhesive section.

FIG. 10A shows the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 8 attached to theinside of a package.

FIG. 10B shows the attached alternate embodiment of the hang tab shownin FIG. 10A in the detached position, pulled up for deployment.

FIG. 10C shows the deployed alternate embodiment of the hang tab shownin FIG. 10B retracted after deployment.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a carton or package blank with the hang tabinterface positioned on one of the folding edges.

FIG. 12 shows the exemplary carton or package blank with the alternatehang tab embodiment shown in FIG. 8 positioned and adhered to the blankprior to folding and gluing operations during the gluing convertingprocess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail various embodiments of the invention with the understanding thatthe present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the top section of a display package 10having a deployable and retractable hang tab 12 attached thereto inaccordance to one embodiment, with the hang tab in the retractedposition. FIG. 1B is perspective view of the top section of a displaypackage 10 having a deployable and retractable hang tab 12 attachedthereto, with the hang tab in the deployed position. The display package10 may be constructed from a foldable material, such as, for example,paperboard, linerboard, folding board, folding boxboard, etc., andpreferably from folding bristol. It is well within the scope of thisinvention to use any suitable material well known or later developed inthe art such as, for example, plastic, thin sheet metal or the like. Thedeployable and retractable hang tab 12 is configured to be inserted intoan interface portion 13 of the display package 10. The hang tab 12, wheninserted, slides between a hanging position as shown in FIG. 6, and thepartially or substantially concealed position as shown in FIG. 7. Aswill be described in greater detail, the removable hang tab 12 may beused to suspend a package from a typical store rack system.

The display package 10 includes an interface 13, as shown in FIG. 2,which is sized and configured to provide for the insertion (asillustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5), retention (as illustrated in FIG. 7),and deployment (as illustrated in FIG. 6). The interface 13 is designedas a series of tabs and offset cuts, performed at the time ofmanufacturing during the die-cutting process, along an edge 14 of apackage 10 as shown in FIG. 2, that permit the insertion, rotation,capture, extension and retraction of the hang tab. The size of theopening into the package 10 defined along interface 13 and shown in FIG.1, as defined between the boundary points 30, may be sized along itslength to be large enough to permit the insertion of the hang tab 12when the hang tab 12 is oriented with the shoulders 21 angled, e.g.,perpendicular, relative to the interface 13. However, the openingbetween boundary points 30 may be sized to be smaller than the width ofthe hang tab lower portion 20 such that the upper portion 18 of the hangtab 12 may be pulled through interface 13 yet is inhibited from furtherwithdrawal by the width of the lower portion 20 relative to theinterface 13. One of ordinary skill in art would appreciate that thedisplay package 10 may be designed in a variety of shapes and sizes forvarious products.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the removable hang tab 12 and theinterface 13. The hang tab 12 is defined by an upper body portion 18 anda lower body portion 20. The upper body portion 18 is provided with acentral aperture 22 used for hanging the hang tab 12 with an attachedarticle thereon to a display hook (not shown). The shape of centralaperture 22 can be varied greatly depending on degree and depth ofinterlocking desired. As such, the shape of the central aperture 22 canbe rectangular, angular, convoluted or sub-divided, irregular, etc., butstill falls within the scope of the present invention. The centralaperture 22 typically includes an apex 24 that is wide enough to receivehooks.

The lower portion 20 may have a width larger than the upper portion 18and sized accordingly for insertion and retention within a hang tabinterface defined within the carton or box. Moreover, the lower portionmay simply comprise a portion which has a larger width than the upperportion while in other variations the lower portion may define a curved,arcuate, or generally semi-circular configuration which facilitatesinsertion of the hang tab into the package hang tab interface. Thecurvature of the lower portion may extend radially away from the upperportion while the interface between the lower and upper portions maydefine a straight line or shoulder 21 for inhibiting the unintendedremoval or withdrawal of the hang tab 12 from the hang tab interface 13,as described in further detail below. The curved lower portion 20 isillustrated as an exemplary variation of the possible shapes into whichthe lower portion 20 may be configured and is not intended to belimiting. Accordingly, the lower portion 20 may be designed into anynumber of shapes or configurations so as to inhibit the inadvertentremoval of the hang tab from the hang tab interface.

In the variation shown in FIG. 1, the lower body portion 20 hasgenerally a semi-circular configuration which facilitates inserting thehang tab 12 into the display package 10. The hang tab 12 is generallyformed to be in a concealed position within the display package 10 untilthe display package 10 is ready to be hung up for sales display. Thehang tab 12 may be made of clear polyester resin so as to remainunobtrusive on the display package 10. The hang tab 12 is typically madefrom a synthetic resin, such as PVC, HDPE, PETG, polyethylene (PE) orpolyethylene terephthalate (PET). The hang tab 12 is flexible andrelatively thin, typically having a thickness between 0.006 and 0.030inches. A typical hang tab 12 may have an aperture 22 of about 1.25inches in width and about 0.25 inches high with a top notch 24 addingabout 0.125 inches to the height. The exact size and shape may varydepending upon the particular application. The amount of material aroundthat aperture may also vary depending on a number of factors, e.g., theweight of the packaged product, the thickness and strength of thevarious materials, etc. These values are merely provided as illustrativedimensions and are not intended to be limiting.

There are several commonly known methods of manufacture of the hang tab12. One of these methods is related to a flat steel rule die cutting.Steel rule cutting dies, are commonly used for cutting paper, plastic,and cloth. A steel rule cutting die typically comprises a base substrateor backing board in which a groove matching the desired pattern to becut is formed. A length of sharpened blade, known as a steel rule, isformed to the shape of the desired pattern to be cut and is embedded inthe corresponding groove in the board. The steel rule has a sharpenedcutting edge extending away from the board. A single steel rule cuttingdie is often constructed with multiple blades or cavities as to enablecutting of multiple patterns with a single pass through the press.Multiple cavities or patterns can be nested together on the substrate inan efficient configuration to minimize scrap. Alternatively, the hangtab 12 can be made by die cutting. The hang tab 12 can be cut from a web(roll) or from sheets of material. Although the hang tab 12 is made fromplastic, but one ordinary skilled in the art would appreciate that thehang tab 12 can be made from paper or some combination of paper andplastic, or a variety of other materials and material combinations.

As mentioned above, the size of the opening into the package 10 definedalong interface 13 is defined between the boundary points 30, which maybe sized along its length to be large enough to permit the insertion ofthe hang tab 12 when the hang tab 12 is oriented with the shoulders 21angled, e.g., perpendicular, relative to the interface 13. The hang tabinterface 13 may further include one or two tabs 31 on either or bothends of boundary points 30 which may be formed by a pair of offset cutsformed on opposite ends of the tabs 31. The tabs 31 are designed toallow the slot 22 of upper portion 18 to be threaded between the tabs 31and prevent the hang tab 12 from falling into the display package 10when in the retracted position. The tab upper portion may be slightlyoffset from the edge 14 of package 10 such that the tab upper portion 18is engaged between tabs 31 and remains at least partially exposedoutside the package 10 to prevent the hang tab 12 from falling into thebox when in the retracted position and also to facilitate the graspingand deployment of the hang tab for display.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate one example in which the hang tab is inserted intothe display package. After the display package 10 is assembled, the hangtab 12 may be grasped by one of the top corners, e.g., between thumb andforefinger if done manually. Next, the hang tab 12 may be oriented at anangle relative to its normal hanging position, e.g., 90 degrees, andinserted into hang tab interface 26, as depicted in FIG. 3. Once thehang tab 12 is nearly fully inserted, the hang tab 12 may be rotated (asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5) to its normal orientation, as shown in FIG. 6.The hang tab 12 may be pulled up relative to the display package 10 toorient the tab 12 in the hanging position, as shown in FIG. 6, orretracted down into the display package 10 by threading the hang tabslot 22 outside of the interface tab 16 to the hang tab's concealedposition, as illustrated in FIG. 7 and as described above.

Alternatively, the hang tab 12 may be inserted and/or attached prior toor during construction of the display package 10. Prior to assembly ofthe display package 10, the hanging portion of hang tab 12 may be slidinto or through the display package interface from the inside of the boxinto its fully deployed position. After assembly of the display package10, the hang tab 12 may be retracted or pushed down to its undeployedposition for shipping.

A further alternative for attaching the hang tab 12 to the displaypackage is done automatically, at the time of package gluing. FIG. 8shows this alternative embodiment 15 of the hang tab, wherein the hangtab has an extended section 34 on the lower portion that may remain inplace by a perforated cut. Below the perforated cut, the extendedsection 34 can be affixed adhesively to the box by a strip or dots ofadhesive 33, during, for example, the automatic or manual gluingprocess. The perforation can be later broken by pulling on the upperportion of the hang tab 15 after assembly or at the store, separatingthe extended bottom 34 from the rest of the hang tab 32 and creating agap 35, as shown in FIG. 9. The hang tab may be applied to the inside ofthe display package blank as shown in FIG. 10A during transit throughthe gluing machine (not shown), and fixed in place by the adhesive strip33 or adhesive spot(s). After gluing, a small portion 25 of the top ofthe hang tab 12 is accessible so that the hang tab 12 can be grasped andpulled out to the fully deployed position. The hang tab 12 may also belater retracted by pushing it back down into the display package 12, atwhich point the hang tab interface will guide the hang tab 12 into thesame retracted position as the manually inserted hang tabs as shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a carton or package blank 50 with the hangtab interface 13 positioned on one of the folding edges 14. A typicalcarton blank 50 such as the one shown may be next folded and gluedthrough a gluing machine by folding the blank 50 180 degrees alongcreases 40 and 14 so that the glue flap 41 is positioned under the endflap 42. Glue is typically applied to the glue flap 41 prior to folding.Carton or package blank 50 is shown for illustrative purposes and thehang tab may of course be utilized with any number of packagingconfigurations and designs if so desired.

FIG. 12 shows the example of how the hang tab may be positioned orotherwise attached to the carton or package blank 50. As shown, the hangtab may be placed and adhered in position relative to the hang tabinterface prior to any folding and gluing operations during the gluingconverting process. With the hang tab pre-placed, the hang tab portionmay be readily deployed after the package blank 50 has been assembled.The hang tab variation illustrated is the embodiment shown above in FIG.8; however, other variations of the hang tab may be utilized with orwithout adhesive depending upon the application.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A hang tab for suspension of an article, comprising: a body havingupper and lower portions, the upper portion defining an apertureconfigured to hang the hang tab with an attached article thereon to ahanger and the lower portion having a width which is larger relative toa width of the upper portion, wherein the lower portion is configured tofacilitate insertion of the hang tab into an attached article andinhibit inadvertent withdrawal of the lower portion from the article. 2.The hang tab of claim 1 wherein the upper portion defines a curved orarcuate portion.
 3. The hang tab of claim 1 wherein the lower portiondefines a curved or arcuate shape extending radially from the upperportion.
 4. The hang tab of claim 3 wherein the lower portion defines asemi-circular shape.
 5. The hang tab of claim 1 wherein the lowerportion further defines an extended portion delineated via a perforatedboundary, the extended portion being removable therefrom along theboundary.
 6. The hang tab of claim 1 wherein the attached articlecomprises a hang tab interface through which the hang tab is at leastpartially retractable.
 7. The hang tab of claim 6 wherein the hang tabinterface defines an opening between boundary points which is sized toallow passage of the hang tab therethrough when angled relative to thehang tab interface yet inhibit withdrawal of the hang tab lower portionwhen reoriented relative to the hang tab interface.
 8. The hang tab ofclaim 6 wherein the hang tab interface further defines one or more tabsformed by offset cuts defined along the interface which are sized toengage the hang tab upper portion.
 9. A method of hanging an article fordisplay, comprising: providing a hang tab body having upper and lowerportions, the upper portion defining an aperture configured to hang thehang tab with an attached article thereon to a hanger and the lowerportion having a width which is larger relative to a width of the upperportion; inserting the hang tab body at an angle relative to the articleat least partially into a hang tab interface defined along the article;and rotating the hang tab body relative to the article such that theupper portion is retractable through the hang tab interface while thelower portion is inhibited from withdrawal from the interface.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 further comprising deploying the upper portion throughthe hang tab interface.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprisingretracting the hang tab body into the interface such that a portion ofthe upper body is engaged along one or more tabs defined along theinterface and inhibited from further retraction into the article. 12.The method of claim 9 wherein the hang tab lower portion comprises awidth which is larger than a width of the upper portion.
 13. The methodof claim 9 wherein the hang tab lower portion defines a curved, arcuate,or semi-circular shape extending radially from the upper portion.